Kriyanusa Exhibition 2023, Initial Step for Indonesian MSMEs to Enter Global Market

Jakarta – From September 13th to 17th, 2023, the Jakarta Convention Center bore witness to a significant event in the world of Indonesian craftsmanship: the Kriyanusa Exhibition 2023.

This event marked a crucial moment for Indonesia's Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to elevate the quality and competitiveness of their craft products on the global stage.

With the theme 'Superior Crafts, Advancing Indonesia,' the exhibition aimed to garner international recognition for the archipelago's craftsmanship.

Sri Suparni Bahlil Lahadalia, the Chair of the Business Management Division of the National Crafts Council (Dekranas) and Chair of the Kriyanusa Committee, explained in FMB9 event, "We want the products of Indonesian craftsmanship to be better known, not only nationally but globally as well."

Efforts to achieve this goal encompass a range of strategies, including artisan training, the promotion of Indonesian MSME products overseas, and the utilization of digital platforms.

One of the challenges faced was competition with cheaper imported craft products. Liza Mustafa Abubakar, a member of the Business Management Division of Dekranas, explained, "The challenge lies in competing against printed products, which are cheaper. But Dekranas is aware that these are printed; we are obligated to use handwoven and handmade batik."

Dekranas also organizes the Dekranas Award every two years to promote Indonesian craft products at the international level. With support from the Ministry of Trade, winners of the Dekranas Award have the opportunity to market their products abroad.

This gathering emphasized the crucial role of designers in bridging the gap between artisans and the market. Musa Widyatmodjo, a member of the Partnership Division of Dekranas, stated, "Designs can help artisans understand consumer needs and create products that align better with market demands."

The Kriyanusa Exhibition 2023 marks the initial step for Indonesian MSMEs to enter the global market. With strong collaboration between the government, Dekranas, and various stakeholders, Indonesian craft products can compete with those from other countries.

Furthermore, this exhibition holds the potential to increase awareness among the Indonesian public regarding the importance of local products in the face of global competition.